DOJ orders Pimentel to appear in probe on quarantine breach on May 20

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of the Prosecutor has set on May 20 the tentative date for the preliminary investigation of the case against Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, who was accused of breaching the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“Subpoena to Sen. Koko Pimentel and (copy of the) complaint to be released today. Preliminary investigation tentatively set on May 20,” Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said in a text message.

The complaint against Pimentel was filed by private lawyer and former law Dean Rico Quicho.

Quicho accused Pimentel of violating Republic Act No. 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events Act of 2018, and other regulations of the Department of Health (DOH) when the latter escorted his  pregnant wife to the Makati Medical Center (MMC) despite being on just his 10th day of quarantine after having symptoms of COVID-19.

While at the hospital, the Senator said he was informed by phone by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) of his positive diagnosis for the disease. He said that he immediately left the hospital after learning of the result.

Pimentel later apologized for his actions.

In filing his complaint, Quicho said he already received an order from the DOJ to file a hard copy of the complaint within five days from the lifting of the ECQ.

The last day of ECQ is tentatively set on April 30.

EDV